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EXT. PATIO - NIGHT
Huerta and Nelson come out of the saloon. They are followed
by Bodyguards #1 and #2.
HUERTA
Has your wife arrived, mi hijo?
NELSON
Yesterday.
HUERTA
Ah! I look forward to meeting her.
(lights a black cigarette)
Do you bring some word from your
government?
NELSON
No, General, I've come here on
my own. I'm sure Washington hasn't
had time to - digest the news.
HUERTA
(laughs)
Let us hope, mi hijo, there will
be not too much indigestion.
NELSON
General, are the arrested members
of the Chamber of Deputies safe?
HUERTA
Yes. They are in safekeeping.
NELSON
All one hundred and ten?
HUERTA
Ever how many there were.
NELSON
Might they be released?
HUERTA
Oh, that is not possible. Not yet.
But safe, yes, they will not be
harmed.
NELSON
What about members of the Senate,
sir?
HUERTA
Were there any senators arrested?
NELSON
Not that I know of.
HUERTA
Not that I know of either. The
Senate is dissolved, that is all.
NELSON
The arrested deputies, I have your
guarantee of their safety?
HUERTA
You have it. You must tell His
Excellency Mister President Wilson.
He has my word. We will drink on
it.
Huerta gestures for a bodyguard to fetch the liquor.
NELSON
I'm sure you realize, General,
there's bound to be strong words
from Washington.
HUERTA
It cannot be helped. Every day
those deputies would speak out
against me, defying me, while I
am trying to hold things together.
NELSON
In the eyes of the President, the
action you've taken -
HUERTA
(interrupting)
Something had to done! I am
fighting Carranza and Villa in
the north, I am fighting Zapata
in the south! I have to fight
my own Congress here in Mexico
City? And the United States too?
(beat)
You must forgive me. These
problems, they are none of your
doing. You only say what you must.
Bodyguard #1 sets a bottle and two glasses on a table. Huerta
and Nelson sit down.
HUERTA (cont'd)
His Excellency President Wilson is
a hard man to deal with.
NELSON
He says the same of you.
As Huerta pours drinks:
HUERTA
You must reassure His Excellency.
There will be elections, as I
have said. And I will not be a
candidate, that I have said. But
first, I must deal with these
rebels - these so-called Cons-
titutionalists.
NELSON
He's tired of waiting, General.
HUERTA
He does not understand the
situation.
NELSON
That may be true. But we're not
going to change his thinking. He
has strong feelings, as you know,
about democracy and law.
HUERTA
That is good. But there is war
here. His Excellency should
remember the words of Napoleon
Bonaparte: "He who saves his
country has broken no law." I
am going to save this country.
I am going to restore peace to
my people, whatever the cost.
(gestures toast)
Salud.
NELSON
Salud.
They drink, then,
HUERTA
Mexico, mi hijo, is like the
snake. Its life is in its head.
(taps his temple)
I am the head of Mexico. For now
there is no other government. His
Excellency Mister President Wilson
has to understand that.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - EMBASSY - NIGHT
Nelson, about to enter the master bedroom, sees Edith, in
nightgown and robe, step out of her bedroom door.
EDITH
Did you see Huerta?
NELSON
Yes.
EDITH
What did he say?
NELSON
The deputies are safe.
EDITH
Where are they?
Nelson, looking tired and irritated, says nothing.
EDITH (cont'd)
You don't know? Then how do you
know they're safe? You have to
secure their release, Nelson.
NELSON
How the hell am I going to do that?
As Edith turns and goes back in her bedroom:
EDITH
Sleep on it.
NELSON
Hell, for all I know Wilson is
already -
The bedroom door slams shut. Nelson goes to the door and
furiously shouts at it:
NELSON (cont'd)
- already sending in the troops!
INTERCUT: INT. EDITH'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Edith listens, standing with her back to the door.
NELSON (cont'd)
In which case I'll be strung up
tomorrow on a lamp post! While
I'm hanging there, it would be
nice to know that you cared!
Nelson heads for his room.
EXT. TRAIN STATION - MEXICO CITY - DAY
Nelson meets special envoy JOHN LIND, a tall, 40-ish
Minnesotan, as he gets off the train.
NELSON
Mister Lind? Nelson O'Shaughnessy.
As they shake hands:
LIND
Mister O'Shaughnessy. I bring
the regards of the President
and Secretary Bryan.
NELSON
Thank you. Welcome to Mexico City.
Embassy chauffeur Jesús takes the luggage. As the three
start walking:
NELSON (cont'd)
Sleep well on the train?
LIND
Fitfully.
NELSON
See much of Veracruz?
LIND
All I cared to see. It's hot
as hell there.
NELSON
Well, I'll be glad to show
you Mexico City. How's your
Spanish?
LIND
"No agua." That's it. No water
unless it's boiled.
INT. EMBASSY CAR - DAY
Nelson and Lind are in the back seat, Jesús driving.
LIND
I'll be frank with you, Nelson. I
didn't want this job - I don't know
why he named me special envoy - but
I'm here to lay the cards on the
table. Either Huerta resigns or
the United States will find a way
to force him out. Those are the
President's words.
NELSON
Not to be conveyed that bluntly, I
hope.
LIND
Emphasis on the virtues of
resignation, and our willingness
to help negotiate an interim
government.
NELSON
He's not going to buy it.
LIND
When we see him, do you think he'll
be sober? I'm told he virtually
subsists on alcohol.
NELSON
An exaggeration. Let's just say
he's hard to get with sometimes
unless you're willing to turn a cup
or two. Or ride in his motor car.
LIND
"Ride in his motor car"?
NELSON
He's like a child with a new toy.
LIND
You get along well with the general?
NELSON
He's always very cordial. Even
calls me "hijo." That's "son"
in Spanish.
EXT. GOVERNOR'S PALACE - COAHUILA, MEXICO - NIGHT
ESTABLISHING SHOT. An office window is lit. SUPERIMPOSE:
COAHUILA, MEXICO
OVERLAP SOUND:
CARRANZA (V.O.)
You do not understand, Mister
Hale . . .
INT. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Governor VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, 53, sits behind his desk, with
American agent WILLIAM BAYARD HALE, 40-ish, sitting in front.
Carranza has tinted spectacles, a pointed white moustache,
and a white six-inch beard, which he habitually strokes.
He wears the gray, brass-buttoned tunic of his self-styled
"Constitutionalist First Chief" uniform.
CARRANZA (cont'd)
To begin with, I dislike being
called a rebel. I am First
Chief of the Constitutionalist
forces. The rebels are in Mexico
City - those who have taken power
for themselves, against the will
of the people.
HALE
Yes, Governor Carranza.
CARRANZA
Secondly, this is a Mexican quarrel,
and must be settled by the Mexican
people, or else it will never be
settled. We would not wish Mister
Wilson to intervene on our side,
any more than on the side of
Huerta. Furthermore, we reject
the idea of an interim government.
Our objective is military victory
over General Huerta. Only then
can there be free elections. Now
Mister Wilson wishes to help us?
HALE
Yes. For the cause of democracy.
What do you need?
CARRANZA
It is simple. Lift the embargo on
arms into Mexico. Mister Wilson's
embargo on arms hinders our ability
to wage war against Huerta.
INT. MOHENO'S OFFICE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
Moheno sits behind his desk, Lind and Nelson in front of it.
LIND
You mean I can't even see him?
MOHENO
These demands, these conditions you
bring, are rejected out of hand.
If you wish to discuss other
matters, General Huerta will be
glad to receive you - as always he
receives our friend the chargé -
if and when you come bearing the
official credentials of ambassador.
EXT. AN ALLEY OF SHACKS - WASHINGTON - DAY
Ellen and TWO SENATORS are walking back toward a White
House car, parked at the entrance of the narrow, shack-lined dirt
street. SECRET SERVICE AGENTS #1 and #2 walk with them.
Ragged black CHILDREN play in the street, in which sewage runs.
A few humbly clad ADULT RESIDENTS watch the visitors or
move about.
ELLEN
What do you think, Senators?
SENATOR #1
Well you have to remember, Mrs.
Wilson, this can be kind of a
touchy subject. After all, the
best thing for the black people,
as well as the whites, is separate
but equal.
ELLEN
These alleys are separate, Senator,
but would you call them equal?
SENATOR #1
Well that's -
SENATOR #2
(interrupting)
On the subject of slums, ma'am,
it's up to the people who own
'em to do something about the
conditions.
ELLEN
Isn't that what we're talking
about? A law to make them put up
houses here like I showed you, for
these folks to live in.
SENATOR #1
And I'll be glad to work with you
on that. Both of us will. I'm
just saying, ma'am, that issues
of color must be handled with
sensitivity.
INT. DINING ROOM - WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Wilson and Edith are having lunch together, MAID #3
attending.
WILSON
They think the fact that we built
the Panama Canal give us the right
to pay lower tolls.
ELLEN
Well, it's an international
waterway. We should pay as much
as everyone else.
WILSON
Exactly. I wish everything was
that simple.
ELLEN
So do I. Try getting an alley bill
passed.
WILSON
In Mexico our friend General Huerta
has refused to see our envoy.
Won't let him in the door. I've
given Lind permission to terminate
his mission.
ELLEN
You're a poet.
WILSON
What should I do now?
ELLEN
I hope you're not thinking of armed
intervention.
WILSON
No, I am not. It would be an easy
thing for me to declare war against
a country like Mexico. I wouldn't
have to do the fighting. Neither
would those on the hill, even some
in my cabinet, clamoring for war,
to protect our material interests
down there.
ELLEN
I'm glad you feel that way.
WILSON
We'd send some poor farmers' sons
to do the fighting and dying. But
me? Why, I'd be applauded, my
administration would be judged a
success.
ELLEN
I know what you mean, dear.
WILSON
Huerta is trying my patience, but I
will not go to war against Mexico
till I have exhausted every means
to avoid it.
ELLEN
Calm down, dear. You sound like
you're exhausting your patience.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - WHITE HOUSE - DAY
Wilson is meeting with Lind, Bryan, Hale, and advisor House.
HALE
I was fairly impressed with
Carranza, Mister President.
He's a politician, not a military
man, but he's got some good
soldiers under him. Obregón,
Pablo González, Pancho Villa.
With Carranza's men pushing south,
and Zapata's men pushing north,
they just might rid us of Huerta.
WILSON
And then what? Secretary Garrison
tells me there will be a bloodbath
in Mexico City.
HALE
I don't see many options, Mister
President, if you rule out armed
intervention. They've ruled out an
interim government. We just have
to hope the Constitutionalists will
live up to their name. Carranza
does make one request. Lift the
embargo on arms into Mexico.
LIND
I second that motion, Mister
President.
BRYAN
But, gentlemen, that would leave no
semblance of neutrality.
HOUSE
Why not? We'd be letting 'em fight
it out. Just so they end up with
free elections.
WILSON
What does O'Shaughnessy think
of all this? Do we know?
LIND
Mister President, I hope you won't
think I'm trying to question the
loyalty of Mister O'Shaughnessy.
I'm sure the chargé is just as
loyal as the next man. But from
what I gathered in Mexico City, he
and Huerta seem to have developed
a simpatico relationship. It's my
feeling that if you receive a
suggestion or recommendation from
the embassy, you may want to
consider its possible source.
WILSON
Meaning Huerta himself.
BRYAN
Perhaps O'Shaughnessy should be
instructed to be less familiar with
the general.
LIND
O'Shaughnessy allows himself to be
seen riding around in Huerta's car -
even having drinks with him in
disreputable saloons.
BRYAN
O'Shaughnessy shall be given
instructions!
LIND
Huerta even calls him "hijo."
That's "son" in Spanish.
BRYAN
Perhaps we made a wrong choice.
WILSON
Forget O'Shaughnessy for now.
Something has to be done about
Huerta.
HOUSE
I say lift the embargo, Mister
President. Civil war is not a good
way to settle things, but it looks
like that's how it is.
INT. EMBASSY OFFICE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
Nelson seems stunned by a dispatch in his hand. With him is
the embassy's half-Mexican first clerk LOUIS D'ANTIN, 40.
NELSON
They've lifted the embargo on arms.
D'ANTIN
As soon as Huerta finds out, he
will come here, to take you for
a ride.
NELSON
That doesn't sound very good.
EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
Huerta's car cruising, with a security car following.
INT. HUERTA'S CAR - DAY
Huerta and Nelson are in back, Huerta's Chauffeur driving.
HUERTA
I have been thinking. It is a
personal thing, this thing between
His Excellency President Wilson
and me. A personal grudge.
NELSON
The President has a grudge against
you?
HUERTA
He believes I was behind the
assassination of Madero. It is
not true. I only overthrew Madero,
I did not order him killed. I
did not need a martyr on my hands.
NELSON
President Wilson has never accused
you, General.
HUERTA
It is what he thinks. Madero was a
good, honest man. Too much so for
his own good, or Mexico's. He was
weak, incompetent, the country was
going to ruin. You know this. I
had the army, it was up to me.
There was no one else. It was not
for power or personal ambition, if
that is what His Excellency thinks.
If I had wanted power, mi hijo, I
could have taken it long before. I
could have overthrown a government
stronger than Madero's.
NELSON
General, the death of Madero has
not been mentioned by -
HUERTA
(interrupting)
Then why this persecution?
NELSON
President Wilson is a strong believer
in democratic principles.
HUERTA
Fine! My job is not to establish
democracy, it is to establish
order. Then we talk about these
principles. His Excellency does
not understand this country. Let
him lift his embargo. Let him
anchor more ships off our coast.
Let him send his ultimatums. I
will continue doing my duty, as God
has given it. I will not yield.
INT. ELLEN'S STUDIO - WHITE HOUSE - DAY
A room with a skylight. Ellen, who seems tired, sits painting
at an easel, while Wilson, in his business suit, stands by,
admiring her work. SUPERIMPOSE:
APRIL, 1914
WILSON
It's been a whirlwind romance,
just like ours.
ELLEN
I'm still concerned about the
age difference, though. Aren't
you?
WILSON
Yes, I am. But Mac McAdoo's
a fine Christian man. He'll
take good care of our daughter.
ELLEN
Well, we've tried to talk sense
sense to Nell. But she's about
as stubborn as you are, Woodrow.
Wilson puts a hand on Ellen's shoulder, interrupting her
painting.
WILSON
Excuse me a moment.
He leans down and gives her a kiss.
WILSON (cont'd)
Look on the bright side, dear.
We're going to be setting a
record for White House weddings.
Wilson walks to the door. He hears things topple over. He
turns to see that Edith has fainted, knocking over the canvas
and easel, to the floor. As he rushes to her:
WILSON (cont'd)
Ellen!
Secret Service Agents #1 and #3, having heard, hurry in from
the corridor. Wilson, kneeling, takes Ellen in his arms.
AGENT #1
What's happened?
WILSON
Get Grayson here!
Agent #3 runs out. Ellen is coming to as Wilson holds her in
his arms, Agent #1 leaning over them.
EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
The lights are on in the living quarters.
INT. LIVING QUARTERS - NIGHT
Ellen rests on a sofa. Handsome White House doctor CARY
GRAYSON, 40, sitting in an armchair, rises as Wilson enters.
WILSON
Well, Doctor, what's the verdict?
GRAYSON
Nothing dire to report, Mister
President. I think Mrs. Wilson
has just run herself down.
ELLEN
I told Doctor Grayson that's
nonsense.
Wilson sits down by Ellen, Grayson in the armchair.
GRAYSON
Why don't y'all go spend a week at
White Sulphur Springs?
ELLEN
Tell him, Woodrow: I work less
than any First Lady in history.
WILSON
I didn't want to say anything,
dear.
GRAYSON
A person can get tired doing
nothing.
ELLEN
Then that may explain it.
WILSON
Well, Carey, it's White Sulphur Springs,
if that's your prescription.
EXT. HOTEL HARRINGTON - WASHINGTON - NIGHT
ESTABLISHING SHOT of the nice downtown hotel.
INT. A CORRIDOR - THE HOTEL - NIGHT
Wilson advisor House walks along looking for a room number,
as a well-dressed COUPLE pass.
Finding the number, House knocks on the door. Someone's well
tailored ASSISTANT or bodyguard, 30-ish, opens the door.
ASSISTANT
Come in, Colonel House.
INT. THE HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
House enters, the assistant closing the door. Oil baron JOHN
REESE, 55, a folksy but imposing Texan, stands fixing himself
a drink.
REESE
Hello, Ed!
HOUSE
John, how are you?
As they shake hands:
REESE
Fine. And you?
HOUSE
Good. Nice to see you.
REESE
How's Loulie?
HOUSE
She's fine. Misses Houston.
REESE
Can't blame her for that.
INT. THE HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT (MINUTES LATER)
House and Reese sit chuckling about something as they're
having a drink together. Then,
HOUSE
Well, you didn't come all the way
from Houston, John, just to have
a drink and reminisce.
REESE
No, not exactly. It's this Mexican
trouble. It's damn bad for business.
So we oil men have come up with a
plan, Ed. It's a good one. As his
advisor, we'd like you to bring it
to the President's attention.
HOUSE
The President's always open to
suggestions.
REESE
An expeditionary force to Mexico
City could easily unseat Huerta,
before Villa and Zapata and the
rest of those cutthroats have
time to get there. The United
States sets up an interim
government, one with all of our
interests at heart. There are
some excellent choices for the
job. One man is leader of
Mexico's Catholic party, and -
HOUSE
(interrupting)
Hold on, John. You're talking
about turning Mexico into a United
States colony. The President
wouldn't listen to that.
Reese hands his glass to the assistant for a refill. House
declines one. Reese becomes a little less folksy:
REESE
I don't have to tell you, Ed,
about the importance of those
Mexican oil fields and refineries
to Texas. Not just Texas, the
whole damn U.S. economy. And it's
not just petroleum. Look at the
American railroad and mining
interests in Mexico. Altogether
we're talking one billion dollars.
Some forty thousand Americans are
living down there in peril. Things
in Mexico are out of control. And
getting worse while we sit here and
sip. The United States has to act.
HOUSE
The President wants to avoid
starting a war.
REESE
What damn war? The Mexican people
want to be rescued. We would only
be fighting Huerta, if he puts up
a fight. And Villa, if he doesn't
like what we're trying to do.
Hell, Villa can be bought off.
The assistant hands Reese his refill.
REESE (cont'd)
There's killing and looting and
raping going on. The poor folks
down there would greet us with
open arms. Look at it this way,
Ed. If a man's house is on
fire, he ought to be glad if
his neighbors come put it out.
EXT. NATIONAL PALACE - MEXICO CITY - DAY
A bright day on the plaza. OVERLAP SOUND:
HUERTA (V.O.)
(in Spanish)
I don't understand it . . .
INT. HUERTA'S OFFICE - DAY
Disgusted Huerta is meeting with Generals Blanquet and
Izquierdo. (Spanish:)
HUERTA (cont'd)
If we bought the arms in New York,
how did they wind up in Germany?
BLANQUET
We didn't know Wilson was going
to lift the embargo. So we
shipped by way of Europe.
HUERTA
Shit. While the rebels are getting
more arms than they can ever pay
for or use, we can't even get what
we've paid for.
IZQUIERDO
The arms are aboard the Ipiranga.
IZQUIERDO (cont'd)
She should reach Veracruz by next
week.
Huerta takes a bottle of cognac and a glass from a drawer.
BLANQUET
Let us hope for no trouble before
then.
HUERTA
What trouble?
BLANQUET
The United States ships.
HUERTA
They are at Veracruz to protect
their nationals. So they claim.
Fine. Their nationals are not in
danger. There is no rebel force
in the area. So what are they
going to do? Tampico I worry
about. Veracruz?
IZQUIERDO
Refugees are filling Tampico.
There is concern this Admiral
Mayo will land his marines, to
protect all the gringos, if the
fighting gets closer to town.
HUERTA
If they want to protect their
people, they will take them
downriver to their ships.
BLANQUET
But there are properties too. The
U.S. refineries and -
HUERTA
(interrupting)
You worry too much! Tampico will
not fall. Wherever the rebels
attack, Morelos Zaragoza must
stop them.
EXT. TAMPICO, MEXICO - DAY
Clouds of black smoke drift over the river port city. There
is the distant sound of artillery. SUPERIMPOSE:
TAMPICO
An oil storage tank explodes in the distance, more black
smoke billows.
Wagons bring wounded FEDERAL SOLDIERS in from the front.
On the river, a motor launch, manned by U.S. SAILORS and
flying the U.S. flag, brings a group of North American
REFUGEES into port.
EXT. U.S. GUNBOAT DOLPHIN - TAMPICO - DAY
The gunboat is moored at a riverfront wharf.
INT. CAPTAIN'S CABIN - DOLPHIN - DAY
Ensign CHARLES COPP, 28, enters to report to U.S. Navy
Captain RALPH EARLE, 43.
COPP
You sent for me, Captain?
EARLE
Yes, Mister Copp. I'm sending you
on a mission. An important one.
COPP
Yes, sir?
Earle picks up an envelope and a map hand-drawn on a sheet
of paper.
EARLE
We've been shuttling our boats
between here and the ships, and
bringing refugees down the river,
till our gasoline's just about
gone. A German national, Max
Tyron, has offered to sell us
some gasoline.
(handing the envelope and
map to Copp)
Here's the money and a map to his
warehouse. You can get there by
canal.
EXT. A BRIDGE ON CANAL - DAY
A railroad bridge, patrolled by FEDERAL SOLDIERS.
EXT. THE CANAL - DAY
A U.S. Navy whaleboat, with U.S. flags fore and aft, is being
rowed along the canal. Aboard are Ensign Copp and NINE
SAILORS, all unarmed.
Copp spots 50-ish German businessman MAX TYRON ahead,
emerging from his warehouse and waving.
EXT. TYRON'S DOCK - DAY
The men in the whaleboat come alongside the dock, Tyron
waiting.
COPP
Max Tyron?
TYRON
At your service.
EXT. THE BRIDGE - DAY
A FEDERAL ARMY MAJOR joins FEDERAL SOLDIER #2, who hands him
his binoculars and points off, other soldiers gathering to
look.
The major trains the binoculars on Copp's Sailors - seven
on Tyron's dock, two in the whaleboat - carrying cans of
gasoline from the warehouse and stowing them in the boat.
MAJOR
(in Spanish)
Report this to Colonel Hinojosa on
the double.
EXT. TYRON'S DOCK - DAY
Copp hands Tyron his money as the loading continues.
TYRON
Thank you, sir. Excuse me, I shall
write a receipt.
Tyron heads into the warehouse.
EXT. A STREET - DAY
A FEDERAL LIEUTENANT, 32, is heading for the canal with a
squad of TEN SOLDIERS, armed with rifles. No one else is
about, all the buildings look closed.
EXT. TYRON'S DOCK - DAY
Copp is watching his sailors load the cans.
The lieutenant and his soldiers come marching onto the dock.
SAILOR #1
We got company.
The lieutenant goes straight up to Copp.
LIEUTENANT
(in Spanish)
You are under arrest. Get your men
out of that boat.
COPP
Sorry, amigo. No comprende.
The lieutenant, showing no comprehension of English, will
continue speaking in Spanish:
LIEUTENANT
I am taking you and your men into
custody.
COPP
Anybody know what he's saying?
The lieutenant steps to the dock edge. As he gestures to
Sailors #2 and #3 in the boat:
LIEUTENANT
Get out of that boat or we'll
shoot you.
SAILOR #3
He wants us out of the boat.
COPP
Stay right where you are.
(to the lieutenant)
Look, mister, I don't know who
the hell you think you are, but -
LIEUTENANT
(interrupting, to
(his soldiers)
Get over here. Half of you, keep
them covered.
While five soldiers cover the sailors on the dock, five step
to the dock edge.
LIEUTENANT (cont'd)
Aim. Then fire when I order.
The soldiers take aim with their rifles at Sailors #2 and #3
in the boat. The lieutenant looks at Copp.
COPP
Get out of the boat.
Sailors #2 and #3 climb out, while the lieutenant and Copp
stare at each other.
LIEUTENANT
Form up to march them!
Tyron comes out of his warehouse, receipt in hand, as the
soldiers form around Copp and his men.
LIEUTENANT (cont'd)
Forward march!
The soldiers begin marching off with their captives, the
lieutenant leading the way. Tyron looks incredulous.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Tyron catches up with the lieutenant, behind them the soldiers
marching Copp and his men. Tyron and the lieutenant speak in
Spanish:
TYRON
Sir, these men were just buying
gasoline.
LIEUTENANT
Without permission. They are in a
restricted zone.
TYRON
But, sir, these are United States
(servicemen)
LIEUTENANT
(interrupting)
(I am) under orders to take them
to Colonel Hinojosa.
TYRON
But this is all my fault. I -
LIEUTENANT
Get away from me!
Tyron falls back to walk beside Copp. The dialogue is in
English again.
COPP
What's he say?
TYRON
He says you are in a restricted
zone. I didn't know, I -
COPP
(interrupting)
I don't give a shit what kind of
zone we're in. You tell him we're -
LIEUTENANT
(interrupting)
Silencio!
(to Tyron, in Spanish)
Get away from those men!
Tyron stops. Copp, being marched away, looks back at him.
COPP
Go tell Captain Earle what's
happening!
LIEUTENANT
(to Tyron, in Spanish)
What did he say?
TYRON
(in Spanish)
He said he doesn't understand
what's happening.
The lieutenant turns to follow the others.
INT. COLONEL HINOJOSA'S HQ - DAY (LATER)
COLONEL HINOJOSA, 50, is speaking to Copp through a Mexican
INTERPRETER. Behind Copp stand his sailors. The lieutenant
also is present.
HINOJOSA
(speaks in Spanish)
INTERPRETER
You had no business to be in
that area. It is under strict
military control.
COPP
We were just buying gasoline.
The interpreter translates, Hinojosa responds in Spanish.
INTERPRETER
We didn't know what you were doing.
We were forced to detain you.
HINOJOSA
(speaks in Spanish)
INTERPRETER
At any moment the rebels may attack
at that bridge.
COPP
We're not the rebels. Tell him all
we want is the gasoline. We'll be
happy to leave the area.
The interpreter translates. After a moment, Hinojosa sighs
and responds in Spanish.
INTERPRETER
You will be escorted back to your
boat. You will complete your
loading. You will then leave the
area at once.
EXT. GUNBOAT DOLPHIN - DAY (LATER)
Moored at the riverfront wharf.
INT. CAPTAIN'S CABIN - DAY
Copp is reporting to Earle. U.S. Consul CLARENCE MILLER, 55,
is present, as is mustachioed Rear Admiral HENRY MAYO, 57.
COPP
They escorted us back to the
dock, we completed the loading.
They watched us till we left.
EARLE
Okay, Mister Copp, that will
be all for now.
MAYO
One moment.
Admiral Mayo steps over to Copp.
MAYO (cont'd)
Mister Copp . . .
COPP
Yes, sir?
MAYO
You allowed this Mexican officer
to remove two seamen from the
whaleboat?
COPP
Well, sir, he gave an order to
his men there, and -
MAYO
(interrupting)
Answer my question. You allowed
him to remove those two seamen?
COPP
Yes, sir, I -
MAYO
(interrupting)
Do you know what you did? That
whaleboat was flying the American
flag, fore and aft, was it not?
COPP
Yes, sir.
MAYO
That whaleboat, Mister Copp, was
United States territory. In
allowing them to remove those men,
you allowed them to violate United
States sovereignty.
COPP
I had no choice, sir. We had no
arms. As I said, sir, they aimed
their weapons at the men in the
boat. I was afraid they would
shoot them, sir.
Mayo indicates that he's through with Copp.
EARLE
You are dismissed.
Copp leaves.
MAYO
Captain Earle . . .
EARLE
Yes, Admiral?
MAYO
I need someone for dictation.
Earle quickly goes out. As Mayo paces:
MILLER
Well, I trust the matter is closed,
Admiral, with Morelos Zaragoza's
apology.
MAYO
The general's apology is not
enough. Not after our men have
been threatened, arrested, and
marched through the streets.
MILLER
Admiral Mayo, it was only a couple
of blocks. They were promptly
released, and -
MAYO
(interrupting)
They were marched in public view.
MILLER
Ensign Copp didn't mention any
public. It's a restricted zone, so
few if any people may have seen it.
Earle returns with a PETTY OFFICER, who sits down with pad
and pencil.
MAYO
(to Petty Officer)
This note goes to General Ignacio
Morelos Zaragoza, military governor
of the state.
MILLER
Admiral Mayo, excuse me. As U.S.
consul, I insist we first consult
Washington before any sort of
action is taken.
MAYO
A copy of this note shall be
radioed to the State Department.
MILLER
That is not consultation, sir. We
should -
MAYO
(interrupting)
There's no need to consult, Mister
Miller. This matter can be handled
promptly, here and now.
INT. CAPTAIN'S CABIN - DAY (A MINUTE LATER)
While Earle and Miller listen, Mayo, pacing, is in the middle
of his dictation to the petty officer.
MAYO
(dictating)
"I don't need to tell you that
taking men from a boat flying the
American flag is a hostile act, not
to be excused. In view of the
publicity of this occurrence, I
must require that you send me, by
suitable members of your staff, a
formal disavowal of, and apology
for, this act, together with your
assurance that the officer
responsible shall be punished.
I must also require that you hoist
the American flag in a prominent
position on shore and salute it
with twenty-one guns."
Miller registers dismay and disbelief.
MAYO (cont'd)
"Your salute shall be duly returned.
I must require that your answer be
in my hands, and the salute fired,
within twenty-four hours."
INT. BRYAN'S OFFICE - WASHINGTON - DAY
Secretary of State Bryan finishes reading a lengthy dispatch.
As he hands it to an AIDE:
BRYAN
I want this cabled verbatim to the
President in White Sulphur Springs -
with a message from me: "I do not
see that Mayo could have done
otherwise. I await instructions."
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB - WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA. - DAY
Wilson sits reading the telegram. With him are House and
secretary Tumulty. Ellen, still not looking well, sits
talking with Grayson in b.g.
WILSON
Who does this Mayo think he is?
HOUSE
I suppose, sir, given the serious
ness of the case - American
servicemen being paraded through
the streets of Tampico - he felt
prompt action was necessary. He
can be overruled, of course.
WILSON
No. We have to support him.
This General Zaragoza has already
referred the demand to Huerta.
HOUSE
I think you're right, Mister
President. To withdraw the demand
now could encourage more incidents.
WILSON
Joe, send this reply to Bryan.
(dictating)
"Mayo could not have done otherwise.
O'Shaughnessy should be instructed
to handle this matter with the utmost
firmness. Unless those guilty are
punished, and the salute is fired,
consequences of the gravest sort
may ensue." Get that off.
TUMULTY
Right away, sir.
Tumulty leaves. House lights a cigar.
WILSON
I've lain awake at night, Ed,
praying that the worst of
alternatives might be avoided
in dealing with Huerta. Now, with
this, it looks like he may leave us
no choice but to use armed force.
HOUSE
We would only be fighting Huerta,
Mister President. The people down
there need our help. Look at it
this way. If a man's house is on
fire, he ought to be glad if his
neighbors come put it out.
Go to Part ThreeBack to beginning of script
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